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An Italian priest has embarrassed the Catholic Church and caused outrage in Italy by saying he understands how priests “succumb” to paedophile relationships with children and by branding homosexuality “a sickness”.

Father Flaim, 75, who has been a priest for nearly 50 years, caused outrage by suggesting that children were sometimes at fault for somehow tempting priests into paedophile relationships.

“I can understand paedophilia. I’ve been in lots of schools and I know children. Unfortunately there are some children who look for affection because they don’t get it at home. And perhaps if they find a priest (in whom to confide)... he might succumb. And I understand this,” he told La7, an Italian television channel.

Asked if he was suggesting that some children were at fault, he replied: “For the large part, yes”.

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